Crusaders v Leeds Rhinos: Rhinos are back with desire to start well – McClennan

BRIAN McClennan says his Leeds Rhinos squad won last year's title despite initially lacking the right levels of desire.

In an ominous warning to the rest of engage Super League, their head coach now believes the champions are both in the perfect frame of mind and still capable of vast improvement.

Leeds, targeting a fourth successive grand final triumph, start their latest defence against Crusaders in Wrexham this evening but anyone thinking their appetite may have diminished will be rattled by McClennan's frank admission.

"We are in better shape in every way," he said.

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"Physically, mentally and all sorts of ways. Last year I think we were a little bit hungover with the success we had in '08 and I don't think we went in hungry enough.

"This year there seems to be a stronger sense of purpose about us and we really want to get off to a good start.

"You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.

"We'd like to fire a shot over everyone's bow and say 'this is the Rhinos for 2010'."

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Stepping up their defensive quality is paramount in McClennan's view while he believes Leeds – who lost just six games last year – are capable of even greater consistency.

"We had some blips in the season," he said. "We broke down at times in attack and really struggled through Easter. There's a bit of a hangover when you play a World Club Challenge.

"We've not managed to get out of that well the last two times and have got to manage that a lot better. Also, Huddersfield took our mantle as the best defensive team last year so we'd like to win that back."

Reclaiming the World Club Challenge against Melbourne, after losing to Manly last year, is also high in the New Zealander's thoughts but first comes the challenge of the Crusaders.

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Given all their off-season problems, it could be the biggest mis-match of any opening fixture in the history of Super League.

Leeds thrashed them 68-0 at Newport in August but McClennan added: "They have obviously got a new management team in there from last season, a lot of new players and a new base up at Wrexham.

"They are expecting a big crowd and I am sure they will want to make a statement about their future against us. Their players will be out to impress a new coach and win over the local fans in Wrexham and we have to be ready to match that."